Allen County Superior Court Judge John Surbeck announced his retirement from the bench, effective at the end of the calendar year.
Since his appointment in 1988, Surbeck was responsible for the launch of the Superior Court’s Re-Entry Court program, and a statewide pilot program seeking alternatives to money bail.
Judge Surbeck received the 2012 William Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence for his leadership.
“It has been one of my life’s great privileges to be a part of the judiciary, doing a job I love in a community I love,” Surbeck said in a release from the Allen County Superior Court.
“Many young lawyers aspire to a judgeship, and I’m one of the lucky few who got the opportunity. There is no more fulfilling work than that of delivering justice fairly and impartially. I’m grateful for the chance to have served."
In total, Surbeck was re-elected five times, and currently serves as the Superior Court’s Chief Judge. His final day on the bench will be Dec. 31.
With his term set to expire at the end of 2020, the Allen County Judicial Nomination Commission will have to send a list of nominees to Governor Eric Holcomb, who will then appoint Surbeck’s replacement.
